Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

This lizard occurs widely in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It ranges from northwestern Nevada and extreme southwestern Utah south through southeastern California, Arizona, and extreme southwestern New Mexico to northern Mexico in Sonora, Sinaloa (south almost to Nayarit), and Baja California (south to the southern tip). It is also present on Islas Magdalena and Santa Margarita along the Pacific coast of Baja California and on several islands in Gulf of California (Angel de la Guarda, Carmen, Cerralvo, Coronados, Espititu Snato, Partida Sur, Patos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis, San Marcos, Santa Inez, Smith and Tiburon [Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003]). Its elevational range extends from sea level in desert sinks to about 1,520 m (5,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003).

It is an abundant species. This species is represented by a large number of viable occurrences that are well distributed throughout its range. The total adult population size is unknown but probably exceeds several hundred thousand. Its extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and population size are large and appear to be relatively stable.

No major threats have been identified. Locally, the species has been detrimentally affected by habitat destruction and degradation as a result of conversion of land to human uses (e.g., agriculture, residential and commercial development). There is a tiny pet trade, but generally it is a non-target species, and the trade does not constitute a threat to the species.